The city council denied this, saying the decision was made by the shopping centre owners. However, council officials described the machine as “a well-meaning but misguided and ill-informed attempt to address complex problems”.

John Doddy, a trustee of Action Hunger, said: “I think they both looked at the machine and decided that a unique piece of Nottingham history was dispensable for the sake of the rigidity of their [homelessness] strategy.

“The council feels it is a one size fits all problem. There is an element of if you do not conform you do not get help. However if you design a rigid format to deal with a fluid problem it will overflow its container.

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“It’s hard to be a prophet in your own land. When you create something people do not understand they drive you out but it will come back and people will look back on [the installing of the machine] as a moment of fame for the city.”

He said they would relocate elsewhere in Nottingham and already had plans to expand in London and internationally.

West Bridgford-based homeless charity The Friary provided cards to homeless people so they could use the machine to pick up essentials such as fresh fruit, sanitary towels, socks, energy bars and sandwiches.

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Sam Crawford, the charity’s CEO, said it had been a “very positive” trial more than 70 people had picked up cards (from the 100 available) and they were not planning on “giving in” because of this setback.

Helen Jones of the Friary and John Doddy, of Action Hunger

He added: “I am angry. It provided a way of ensuring out of hours support. It does not resolve rough sleeping but it reduces the harm and encourages people to engage in our services.”

He added that it was wrong to think that the vending machine would make people more likely to stay on the streets.

Nigel Wheatley, general manager at intu Broadmarsh, said: “We agreed to support a trial to help get their vending machine concept off the ground, but we’ve always said it wouldn’t become a permanent fixture at the centre.

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“The project was supposed to run for one month from 19 December 2017 but we extended the license to give Action Hunger a bit more time to test the idea. We also increased our opening hours and provided extra security resource so people could access the vending machine in a safe, dry environment throughout the night.

“The trial period ended on March 23 and we have asked Action Hunger to honour our agreement.

“We wish them the best of luck for the future.”

He added that the council has a say in decisions because it owns part of the freehold of the land upon which the Broadmarsh is built, but a spokeswoman would not confirm whether or not this was true, saying only that the council has its own homelessness strategy.

A vending machine for homeless people will be installed by the Broadmarsh shopping centre

A spokesman for the council denied it had any part in this decision but speaking about the council’s view of the project, portfolio holder for community and customer services and Labour councillor for the Berridge Ward Toby Neal said: “Our view is that this is a well-meaning but misguided and ill-informed attempt to address complex problems faced by people with accommodation and health issues.

“There is no evidence that it helps, and may distract people from finding long-term solutions through the support that’s in place 24/7 through the council’s “No Second Night Out” policy and our partnership with Framework including their street outreach teams and the work of other partners and organisations.

“Nottingham City Council is committed to tackling the issues around homelessness and unlike many councils locally has invested in a homelessness strategy, that includes addressing the many issues that are connected to it and working with partners to meet the many needs of people affected."